Edward b



EK E, DAVIS.

LOCKING DEVICE FOR AUATOMOBILES.

APPLICATION HLED mnfm. 191s.

UNITED .STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EDWARD E. DAVIS, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGN'OR.4 TO SECURITY AUTO LOCKCOMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

LOCKING DEVICE FOR AUTOMOBILES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 11, 1919.

Application file d January 14, 1918. Serial No. 211,762.

, for automobiles and it has been especially designed for use inconnection with thesteering gearing of Ford automobiles.

This invention is in the nature of an improvement upon the 'lockingdevice shown and described in my prior Patent No. 1,205,124, datedNovember 14, 1916.l

In locks of this type the steering wheel is rendered idle or inactive toprevent the automobile from being driven or towed away by anunauthorized person, but I have found that it is possible (in view ofthe construction o the Ford .parts) for an unauthorized person to makethe steering Wheel effective without the use of a proper key to unlockthe lock. Thishas been accomplished by removing the steering wheel fromthe stud shaft and pounding the latter down through the sleeve andwasher until the center-pinion is brought into mesh with the otherpinions of the planetary gearing. This is possible because in thepresent construction of the Ford gearing, the sleeve and washer aresecured on the stud shaft by a driving tit and although they aresupported by the lock bolt (when the steering wheel is inactive) thestud shaft with its pinion may be forced down. To drive the automobileaway, the unauthorized personA replaces the steering wheel on theprotruding end of the stud shaft, thus making ,it possible for him tosteer the vehicle. lVith the present invention, as well as the one shownand described in my prior patent, all of the ordinary and well knownparts ot' the Ford steering gearing are. retained except'the cap, whichis removed and replaced by a cap containing the locking mechanism.

The prin'iary object ot this invention is to provide means whereby thesteering wheel, stud shaft and its pinion cannot be forced to its loweror active position unless the proper key is inserted in the lock and thesame i'uanipulated to withdraw the pinion supporting meansl from itsposition supporting the pinion. Other objects and advantages will appearin the course of this specification and with all of said objects andadvantages in view, this invention consists in the several novelfeatures of construction, arrangement and combination of partshereinafter set forth and more particularlydefined in the claims.

The invention is clearly illustrated in the drawingsaccompanying thisspecification in which:-

Figure 1, is a central longitudinal section through a steerngrgearingfor' automobiles, illustrating a simple form of the present inventionapplied thereto, the steering wheel being shown in vits lowered oractive position; Fig. 2, is a central vertical longitudinal section'ofthe device, but showingthe steering wheel in its raised or inactiveposition; Fig. 3, is a horizontal section taken on the line 3 3 of Fig.1; Fig. 4, is an end view of certain members of the locking mechanismlooking in the direction of the arrow 4 in Fig. 1; Fig. 5, is a detailvertical cross section taken on the line 5-'-5 of Fig. 3, and Fig. 6, isa plan of the parts seen in Fig. 4.

Referring to said drawings, the reference character (S, designates theusual housing which located at the top of the steering column of anordinary Ford automobile and 7, designates the steering post of thesteering gear. In accordance with the usual practice, the housing isforn'ied with an internal gear 8, which forms part of a planetarygearing, the other members of` which comprise pinions 9, Which' meshwith the internal gear and all journaled on stud shafts upon the upperend of the post 7. 'lhe pinions 9, are adapted tomesh with a centerpinion12, formed integral with a stud shaft 13, to which is keyed, orotherwise secured, the steering wheel 14, which is heldv in positionupon said stud shaft 13,-by a. nut 15, as is usual. Below the centerpinion 12, the stud shaft is reduced in diameter as at 16,- and ismounted to move vertically in a socket 17, formed in the steering post7. Secured on the stud shalt 13, above the center pinion 12, is a washer'18, which is held in place by a sleeve 19, driven'upon the stud shaftand held in place thereon by friction. The parts thus far described indetail are the ordinary Ford parts that comprise (with the usual up fromthe plate 22, and

'notch 27, is

cap) the v.steering gearing of the Ford 21, of said cap 1s spacedsufficiently above i the top ofthe housing to permit the center pinion12, to be raised above the pinions 9,

whereby when held in such raised position the turning of the steeringwheel 14, will have no eect upon the remainder of the steeringmechanism. The means for supporting the steeringwheel in such raisedposition and which comprises the essential features of the lockingmechanism of the present invention will now be described.

Secured in the cap 20, as by screws 23, is a centrally apertured platevor disk 22, and this plate is arranged to be located immediately abovethe top of the housing 6. Slidably mounted upon said plate or disk 23,is a lock plate 24, which, preferably, is composed o a piece of sheetmetal. The said lock plate is`slidably 'connected with said plate 22, bylugs 25, 25a, that are stamped bent over the upper face of said lockplate 24. 4In its preferred form, said lockplate 24, is forked tostraddle the stud shaft and its sleeve 19, and is arranged to overliethe washer 18, when the steering wheel and pinion have been lowered toactive position, as seen in Fig. 1, and to underlie the pinion 12, when2' he steering wheel and stud shaft have been :iised to inactiveposition. When the steerwheel is held in active position by the 'lc kplate 24, the back of the yoke or forked po.- 'ion bears against thesleeve 19, as shown in 'rig. 3, but when the steering wheel andstudfshaft are raised to inactive position, the lock plate is projectedfarther to the right so, that the parts 26, thereof may underlie thepinion itself. To permit ot' this new position of the lock plate 24, aformed therein which receives part of the spindle or reduced portion16,015 the stud shaft 13` The lock plate 24, is controlled and operatedby a loc-k 2S, which may be in the form of an ordinary pin cylinderlock, fiXedly secured in the cap 20, and said lock is provided with acrank arm 29, which is turned by turning the proper key in the loc-k.

Said crank arm is connected to the lock plate 24, by a pin 30, whichtravels in a slot in an upstanding lug 31, formed on the lock plate 24.4Said slot is formed with an upright straight portion 32, and an arcuateportipn 33, which is concentric with the axis ot'lrotation of the crankarm 29, when in the po sition seen in Fig. 1. The purpose ot' thearcuate portion ot the slot is to permit the use of a pin cylinder lockin -which the key may he inserted and withdrawn only when the tumblersare in the locked position, such and a cap 20, is se-V4 ,cu'red uponsaid .threaded portion. The top -bite against the threads lockedposition is shown-.in both Figs. 1 and l because in the first case thelock platefisheld against the sleeve 19,' see Fig. 3) whereas in F ig.2, it is un er'neath the pinion 12, anchcloserto the axisfof" the studshaft. The lock'plate 24, isl formed` with two upstanding lugs 34, whichhave notched portions 35, that are aranged to prevent the center pinion12, from being demeshed from'the pinions 9, in case the lock plate 24,is accidentally forced'under the Washer 18-z1 e., before the stud shafthas been lowered to its fully lowered In this case the notched lugs' 34,.w1l1 be in position to arrest upward movement. of the stud shaftbeyond a place where the' washer 18, strikes the upper edges of thenotches 35. Coiled tensionsprin s 36, connect the upstanding lugs 34,wit the plate 22, and act te yieldingly hold the -lock plate 24, inposition against the stud shaft or' its sleeve 19. As shown, the lu 37,to which hood ends of the s rings 36, are attached, and holes may belibrmed in Athe plate 22, to receive the other hooked ends of thesprings 36. 4

To prevent the ca from being unscrewed from the housing 6, y anunauthorized erson or at any time except when 'the Ik is turned in thelock pawl or dog 38, is ally of the plate 22. The pivotal connection maycomprise a rivet 40, extending through the part 39, of the plate 22, andthrough the dog. Preferably, said dog may be made up of a plurality ofsimilar ieces of hard sheet metal and its pointed end 41, is arranged toof the housing 6.

The arrangement is I such tempt is madeto unscrew the i housing, thepointed end of the dog will bite into the thread and prevent the turningof the cap in a direction to unscrew it. The pawl is moved out ofsuchbiting position -by the lock plate 24, which is provided with a rearwardextension 42, that has al beveled or inclined'edge '43, which isaigggngedo strike against an upstanding pir 44,'that is fastened tothedog'38. Said pin projects up through a slot 45, inthe rearwardextension 39, of the. plate 22, and the pawl is normally held in itsbiting position by a spring 46, which vis here shown as connecting saidpin 44, with one of the lugs 34.

In operation, the steering post 7, may be turn-fl in the usual mannerwhenever the steering wheel and stud shaft are. in their lowermostposition, is in mesh with-the pinions 9. o lock the car against theft,the proper key is inserted cap from the 34, are formed-with ears mountedupon a rearward extension 39.

position.

where the cer er pinion in the loch 28, and turned in the properdirection to swing` the crank arm 25), and pin 30, down and back againstthe edge of the upstanding portion 32, of the slot, and the continuedmovement of said pin towardthe left, as viewed in Fig. l, will cause thelock plate 2l, to be drawn back, uncovering the washer 18, and therebypermitting upward endwise movement of the washer, stud shaft, sleeve andsteering wheel. The steering wheel is then lifted far enough'to bringthe tenter pinion above the lock plate 2l, where upon the key isreleased, permitting the springs 36, to draw the lock plate 2st, towardthe stud shaft and underneath the center pinion, as seen in Fig. 2.During this movement the pin 30, remains in the vertical or uprightportion 32, of the slot and finally reaches the position seen in Fig, 2.The steering wheel and parts connected thereto are now supported by thelock plate 24:, which en gages directly with the under side of thecenter pinion, making it impossible to mesh the pinions 12, 9, until thelock plate 2l, is retracted. lf an unauthorized person attempts to meshthe pinions by removing the wheel and pounding down upon the stud shaft.the center pinion and stud shaft will be prevented from downwardmovement because of the engagement of the lock 'plate 24, with thepinion, and it is obvious, that if the stud shaft is pounded hardenough, the center pinious may bend or distortthe lock plate 2l. but itwill require unusual force to shear otl' the lock plate 2l, and thismust be done v to permit the downward movement of the stud shaft and itscenter pinion whenever the lock plate Q4, is in its locked positionunderneath the center pinion.

To unlock the steering wheel from its locked, idle position, the key isinserted' in the lock 28, and again turned in the direction to swing thecrank arm Q9, and pin 30, downward and back' against `the vertical edgeof the upright portion 32, of the slot in the lug 3l, thereby retractingthe lock plate 24, back far enough to permit the liange 18, to pass bythe same, the steering Wheel is then permitted to drop, bringing thecenter pinion `into mesh with the pinion 9,'and when the user releaseshishold upon the .key thev springs 36, will draw the .loclr plate Q4,over the washer 18. ln other words, it is not rece essary to manuallyturn the key back, as the springs 3G, will automatically return the lockplate 2li, to locked position whenever permitted to do so. In case itbecomes necessary to unscrew the cap, the key is turned' to the unlockedposition of the pin cylinder lock` thereby drawingthe lock plate 24,back againstr the pin ett, and swinging the dog out of engagement withthe thread of the housing 6.

More or less variation of the exact details of construction is possiblewithout departiup` from the spirit of this invention; I desire,therefore, not to limit myself to the eX- act form of the constructionshown and described, but intend in the 'following claims to 'point outall of the invention disclosed herein.

l claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

l. A locking device for motor vehicles', comprising a steering post, astud shaft mounted to move lengthwise of said post, a steering wheelmounted on said stud shaft, a planetarygear connection between said postand stud shaft, the center pinion of which is rigid with said stud shaftand adapted to be demeshed from the other pinions of the planetary gear,said stud shaft having a reduced portion below the pinion, a movablymounted sheet metal center pinion support having two locking positions,one nearer the center of the shaft than the other whereby said supportmay underlie the center pinion when in its demeshed position and a lockoperatively connected with said support, there being a lost motionconnection included in the connection between the lock and supportwhereby the latter may be moved to either locking position.

2. A locking device for motor vehicles,

comprising a steering post, a stud sha-ft mounted to move lengthwise ofsaid post, a steering wheel mounted on said stud shaft, a planetarygearing between the said steering post and said stud shaft, the centerpinion of which is made integral with said stud shaft and adapted to bedemeshed from the other pinion of the planetary gear, said stud shafthaving a reduced port-ion below the center pinion sliding in the post,and a. washer above the center pinion, a movably mounted sheet metalpinion support having two locking. positions, one being nearer thecenter of the shaft than the other, whereby it may underlie and supportt-he center pinion when in its deineshed position and may overlie thewasher wien the center pinion is in its meshed position and lockcontrolled actuating means for operating said pinion support, saidactuating means having included therein a lost motion connection wherebythe support may be moved to either locking position. t

3. A locking device for automobiles comprising a steering post, asteering wheel having a studshaft movable lengthwise of said post froman'aetive to an inactiveposition, a planetary gear connection betweensaid post and stud shaft, the center pinion of which is made integralwith said stud shaft and arranged to be demesh'ed from the other pinionsof the planetary gear, a slidable sheet metal lock plate arranged tounderlie said center pinion to thereby support the saine in a denicshedcondition, and also, to overlie said washer to thereby hold the pinlthreaded upon said housing,

" holding said to said pun-and a lock controlled look platev ion inmeshed condition, said lock plate being `formed with an .upstanding lughaving a slot formed therein comprising an up right portion and anarcuate portion, and a lock having a pin traveling in said slot;substantially and for the purpose set forth.

4. A locking device for automobiles comprising a steering post, asteering Wheel having a stud shaft movable lengthwise of said post, aplanetary gear connection between said post and stud shaft, the centerpinion of which is made integral with said stud shaft and capable ofbeing domeshed from the other gearsA of the planetary gear, a Washerabove said center pinion, a centrally apertured supporting plate, alool; plate slidably mounted on said supporting plate, and havingupstanding notched lugs capable ot' arrestingupward movement of saidWasher and therewith, the stud shaft and center pinion, yielding meansfor yieldingly drawing said lock plate toward a position where itsnotched lugs arrest Inoveinent of said Washer, and lock controlled meansfor operating said lock plate.

5. In a' locking device for automobiles, an externally screw threadedhousing, a cap' a su porting plate secured in said cap, a dog be ow saidsupporting plate and pivotally supported hereby, and arranged to Abiteagainst the threads of the housing, a pin. secured in said dog andprojecting up through an arcuate slot in the supporting plate, a springfor dog in biting position secured having a beveled edge arranged toengage an upstanding pin on said dog to thereby disengage the dog from'said housing When ever said loch plate is retracted from lockedposition,

6. A locking device for motor vehicles,

y erating said pinion comprising a steering post, a stud shaft mountedto move lengthwise of said post,

a steering Wheel mounted on said stud shaft a planetary gear connectionbetween said post and stud shaft, the center pinion ot' which is rigidwith said stud shaft, and adapted to yhedemeshed from the other pin-'ions of the planetary gear, there being an when the pinions are inmesh, and to underlie and directly. support said center pinion .when itis demeshed from the other pinions', and loclr` controlled operatingmeans ior opsupport, there being a lost motion connection for saidoperating means, whereby the support may be moved to, either lookingposition.

r7. A. locking device for automobiles Com'- prising a steering post, asteering wheel having a stud shaft movable lengthwise of said post, aplanetary gear connection between said post and stud shaft, the centerpinion of which is made integral with said stud shaft andr capable ofbeing deineshed from .the other gears of the planetary gearl a Washerabove said center pinion, a centrally apertured supporting plate, a lockplate slidably mounted on said supporting plate, and havingnpstandingmeans capable of arresting upward movement of said Washer and therewiththe stud shaft and center pinion, yielding means for yieldingly drawingsaid loclr plate toward a position Where' said upstanding means mayarrest movement oi said Washer, and lochY controlled means for operatingsaid look plate. l

.DWRD E. DAVS.

